Former 4-H?queen knitting hats for St. Jude’s Children’s Research

Inspired by a challenge issued in her Stevenson University Honors Program, former Frederick County 4-H Queen Megan Toms is helping to coordinate an effort to knit hats for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Toms, along with fellow Gov. Thomas Johnson High School alumnus Jeremy Kline, were inspired by a challenge to take $20 and make as big of an impact as possible. The pair is attempting to make 500 hats and raise $1,000 dollars for the cause by May.

Toms said she got the idea by attending chemotherapy sessions with her grandmother, who was able to take a beanie or cap during her sessions.

“There’s a basket at the doctor’s office that she liked to take a beanie out when she had to do a chemo session,” she said. “I thought it would be a great cause to make others to feel like she was.”

To help teach others to make the hats, Toms said she has been traveling the area, doing “knit-ins” at various events in Frederick and surrounding counties. Despite her plans for creating hundreds of hats, Toms said she didn’t have much knitting or crocheting experience.

“I wasn’t too experienced,” she said. “I’m learning along the way. I’m just kind of ambitious.”

St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital is a Tennessee-based hospital that aims to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment, according to its website. No child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay.

Anyone interested in participating can drop off hats or donations at KT Hair & Co., 99 S. McCain Drive in Frederick. For more information, contact Toms at MToms@stevenson.edu.